Dr. Habib Noorbhai (Mr South Africa 2017) is a Researcher in Sports Science, a presenter, speaker and humanitarian. He completed a BA in Sport Psychology (UJ), Honours in Biokinetics (UKZN), MPhil in Biokinetics (UCT) and a PhD in Exercise Science at UCT.

In 2013, he was among South Africa’s top 100 brightest young minds and in 2015, he was nominated among Mail and Guardians top 200 young South Africans. He was also included in Fast Company South Africa’s Top 30 creative people in business for 2017.

Habib has been featured on a variety of television shows, both as a professional and as Mr South Africa. Some of these included: Top Billing, Mela, thrice on Expresso, eNCA and SABC News. In 2015, he had his own sport and health show on OpenViewHD and a radio show on Hashtag Radio. He is also a frequent expert guest on Cape Talk and Radio702 discussing relevant topics on sports science, exercise, health, community engagement and leadership.

Habib also founded a non-profit organisation in 2013 called The Humanitarians, a volunteer-based organisation, whereby various community projects and programmes are conducted through sport, health, education, sustainability and innovation. These programmes are also conducted through Habib’s current reign as Mr South Africa 2017 to spearhead change and making a difference in society.

If we had to describe our body, what would we say? Would we describe it technically, mechanically, functionally, medically?

What do we think of our bpdy? It is quite sad to see how we treat our bodies today. The way we eat, drink, over-work and participate in our daily activities. Has technology taken over our sedentary lifestyle? Are we not disciplined enough or do we seek external motivation?

By not eating right and exercising enough, we clearly saying that we don’t care for ourselves? Or that we don’t want to improve the quality of our lives? Many would say, we don’t have time, or our work hours are too long or we have many commitments that it actually takes over our ‘me-time’. But there is the 23.5-hour rule...it just takes 30 minutes in a day to be active and to do some sort of exercising or physical activity.

And it’s not the question of how much or less we eat, but WHAT we eat. The old saying is still in place: you are what you eat!

If you have a lovely car that you drive, and you take it from place to place, filling in fuel as you go and go. You enjoying it, its convenience, but you forgetting that maintenance is important. Primary maintenance: have you checked the oil, water, battery fluid and tyre pressure of your car? Secondary maintenance: have you been taking your car for regular minor and major services.

Think about it, if we channel our mindsets correctly, we will be on the right track. Therefore, we can eliminate external motivation and create our own discipline in order to better our quality of life through exercise and healthy eating.

It was a great pleasure to supervise Habib Noorbhai. He has unique abilities that I have not previously experienced in any of the PhD students I have assisted. I have not ever experienced this combination of personal abilities and drives in any other student. Other characteristics that I appreciated are his ability to be fearless – he is not daunted by any task he sets himself – and his desire to push the boundaries of knowledge, regardless of the personal consequences.

~ Prof Tim Noakes, Emeritus Professor, University of Cape Town

Habib was warmly welcomed by the Redbacks team and staff and fitted in well. He carried out his duties diligently and efficiently. The players and staff had only had praise for his experise and enthusiasm during the CLT20 tournament and this was much appreciated by all. Habib also showed initiative outside his core duties by assisting the support staff on training days and always doing this to the best of his abilities. During this time, Habib had been well-organised, reliable and responsible.

~ Simon Cain, South Australian Redbacks Cricket, 2010

The service that I received from Habib Noorbhai was more than satisfactory. Habib was considerate about the fact that I had limited assistance with very limited time. He was more than helpful in terms of structuring my work, checking the content, and all other features of my work. I would recommend his assistance to any other person who needs guidance in similar tasks. Mr Noorbhai was patient, understanding and encouraging at all times. I would like to thank Mr Noorbhai for his assistance with my thesis completion.

~ Nicholas Christelis, University of Cape Town student, 2014.

Whomever Habib speaks or presents to, he does so with such enthusiasm, practically and is highly adaptable to his audience and the genre. It is a pleasure to listen to his unique insights and perspectives. One can't help but feel inspired to do and be more after interacting with him.